Abstract
The reliability of two different sprint tests performed on a non-motorized treadmill (NMT)
Kirbschus, K., Fernandez-Fernandez, J., Wiewelhove, T., Raeder, C. & Ferrauti, A.
Faculty of Sports Science; Department of Training and Exercise Science, Ruhr-University Bochum (Germany)
Introduction
The non-motorized treadmill (NMT) system initially reported by Lakomy (1984) has been used extensively to assess sprinting performance. However, there has been limited research into the reliability of different sprint tests (i.e., single or repeated sprint (RS) tests) using such systems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the reliability of two different sprint tests on a NMT.
Methods
17 male sport students (age: 27.3 ± 5.5 yrs; height: 1.78 ± 0.05 m; BMI: 24.2 ± 2.1) participated in the study. After a standardized 10 min warm-up, subjects performed two non-randomized consecutive testing sessions separated by one week: a 10 s all-out sprint and 2 h later, a RS test consisted of 6 X 4 s all-out sprints, with 20 s passive recovery, on a NMT. Parameters analyzed included velocity, power output, step length and frequency and heart rate (HR). Additionally, blood lactate (La) values and oxygen uptake (VO2) were analyzed in eleven subjects. Reliability was obtained using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results
The 10-s sprint showed moderate to high reliability for all the values analyzed (velocity: 0.911 (0.772-0.967); peak power: 0.881 (0.723-0.955); mean power: 0.855 (0.453-0.954); step length: 0.853 (0.644- 0.944), and step frequency: 0.823 (0.577-0.932)). The RS test also showed moderate to high reliability values (mean velocity: 0.963 (0.903-0.986); peak power 0.936 (0.835-0.976); mean power: 0.939 (0.771-0.980). Moreover, we found a moderate to high intraday reliability between velocity in the 10-s sprint and the first sprint of the RS on day one (0.927 (0.728-0.976)) and day two (0.895 (0.739-0.961)). Results also showed significantly higher (p < 0.01) physiological load (i.e., VO2, La and HR) during the RS test compared to the 10-s sprint.
Discussion and concussions
The present study showed that both tests, 10-s and RS, seem to be reliable in a group of sport students. We can suggest that because of its specificity (i.e., sprint) and laboratory conditions, the NMT could be a useful tool for testing and training. Regarding the differences between tests, the RS test is more demanding than the 10-s, but also seems to be more reliable
References
Lakomy, H.K.A. (1984). An ergometer for measuring the power generated during sprinting. Journal of Physiology, 33: 354.
Lakomy, H.K.A. (1987). The use of a non-motorized treadmill for analysing sprint performance. Ergonomics, 30: 627-637.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science |
Volume | 18 |
Publication date | 2013 |
Pages | 236 |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Event | Congress of the European College of Sports Science - , Spain Duration: 01.01.1800 → … |